Sept 6

223. Chocolate Cake

It is a good basic cake that you can so a lot with! We all really liked it.

*1 package (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix with pudding
*1 cup sour cream
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*3 large eggs


Mix together with a mixer
Spread in a 9x13 pan
Cook for 20-25 minutes at 350
Test with a tooth pick!!!


224. Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting


As our friend Jason said, It taste like a wendys frosty. and it does!


*1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
*8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
*1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
*1 teaspoon pure almond extract 
*4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted


Mix the first four together until creamy
Add the powdered sugar in slowly. 


225. Lasagna


It was good! I like the one I normally make more but oh well!


*1 lb ground beef
*1 lb sausage, out of casing
*1 small onion chopped
*2 cloves garlic minced

*box of lasagna noodles (you may not need the whole box)
*1 container of ricotta cheese
*1 tsp Italian season
*1 TBSP parsley 
*1 egg
*1 LB mozzarella
*1 cup parm cheese


Ground the sausage, beef, onion and garlic together
Either you can make your own sauce or use jarred. (tonight I used jarred sauce)
Mix sauce with drained meat
Mix the ricotta, egg, parsley, It. seasoning and salt and pepper together
In hot water soak the noodles for 15 minutes. (this way you dont have to cook them.)
In a pan layer meat and sauce, then noodles, then ricotta and top with cheese
Repeat until you have used everything. I only did two layers!




226. Garlic bread


*1 cup warm water
*1 TBSP butter
*1 TBSP fry milk powder
*1 TBSP sugar
*1 1/2 tsp salt
*1 1/2 TBSP parsley
*2 tsp garlic powder (I used more)
*3 cups bread flour
*2 tsp dry yeast


Place in bread maker, 1 1/2 lb loaf on basic cycle


227. Garlic butter


*1/2 cup butter
*1/2 tsp minced garlic, I used a little more
*1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*2 tsp garlic salt
*1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
*1/4 tsp pepper
*pinch paprika


Mix together and serve with bread

again

205. Lasagna Corn Carne

This was really good. Eli, Dave and I loved it. The same could not be said that same for Elise. So she will not get a brownie for dessert

*1 lb ground beef, I used turkey
*1 jar salsa
*1 can kidney beans, drained
*1 can cream corn
*1 large onion, chopped
*1 medium bell pepper, chopped
*1 celery rib, chopped
*3 cloves minced garlic
*1 TBSP basil
*1 tsp salt
*1 tsp chili powder
*12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
*2 cups mozzarella cheese
*1/2 cup parmesan cheese

In a large skillet, cook the beef until no longer pink
After draining add the salsa, beans, vegetables, garlic and seasoning
Bring a a boil
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes
Spread 1/4 meat and cover with 4 noodles
Repeat once and then add half the cheese
Layer remaining noodles and sauce and top with cheese
Cover and cook for 30 minutes
Uncover and cook for 15 minutes

July 12

169. Mexican Pasta Skillet

The kids and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a week in Florida. So while we are basking by the pool, Dave will be working and I wanted to make something that was enough for him to eat on for a couple days. It was really easy to make and really good!

*1 lb lean ground beef
*1 jar mild salsa
*1 cup Tomato sauce
*1 1/2 cup water
*2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
*1 cup frozen corn
*1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet cook beef until browned
Stir in salsa, tomato sauce and water
Heat to boil
Stir in Macaroni and corn
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender
Sprinkle with cheese
Cover and let cheese melt

July 10

168. Zucchini pasta with ricotta


Our kids have discovered that they both love zucchini. Eli told me that it likes it crispy better...well who doesnt like something fried better. We would eat about anything fried!
This was ok. I would make it again but leave out the ricotta. It really added nothing to the dish. we thought!

*2 TBSP olive oil
*2 lb zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
*coarse salt and pepper
*1 lb linguine
*lemon zest
*1/2 cup ricotta
I added some grilled chicken in with it and it was really good and a whole meal

Preheat the oven to 450
Arrange zucchini on cookie sheet and brush with olive oil; season with salt and pepper
Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotate sheet half way through
Meanwhile cook pasta in salted water
Drain and return to pot
Add oil and zest, then add zucchini; toss to combine
Top with Ricotta

154. Baked Ziti

This is good and it made enough for me to make 2 things and I am going to freeze one!!!

*2 pounds ground beef
*1 large onion, chopped
*1 jar (4 pounds 3 ounces) Prego® Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
*1 (16 ounce) package tube-shaped pasta (ziti), cooked and drained
*3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
*1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook the beef and onion in an 8-quart saucepot over medium high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring often.
Pour off any fat.
Stir the sauce, ziti and 2 cups mozzarella cheese in the saucepot.
Spoon the beef mixture into 2 (12 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2-inch) disposable foil pans.
Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until the beef mixture is hot.

June 7

144. SPAGHETTI CHEESE BAKE

We had some friend over for dinner. There were 4 preschoolers and I did not want to make something that they would not eat. I thought that this was a safe bet and man I loved it. My kids both loved and ate a good bit of it. So it was a hit.

*1 lb. ground beef
*1/4 c. chopped onion
*Sm. jar prepared spaghetti sauce
*1 1/2 c. broken spaghetti (6 or 7 oz.)
*2 tbsp. butter
*1 c. or more grated Cheddar cheese
*1 tbsp. flour
*2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
*1/4 tsp. salt
*3/4 c. evaporated milk
*1/3 c. water

I changed this some. I will put in the changes I made but I wanted to put in the real recipe.

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain.
Add spaghetti sauce. Simmer 1 minute.
Cook spaghetti noodles according to directions on package.
Rinse and drain.
Mix spaghetti and sauce.
Melt butter in saucepan.
Stir in flour and salt.
Add evaporated milk and water. HERE IS THE CHANGE= I did not have evaporated milk so I used a cup of milk instead of the evap. milk and water. It was good.
Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
Add Cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stir until melted.
Spread 1/2 spaghetti in baking dish, then all of sauce, then remainder of spaghetti.
Spread 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

april 28

108. 30-minute spaghetti and meatballs

This was easy to make. Other than the sauce jumping out of the pat and staining the shirt I was wearing, it was a breeze. Yes, I own an apron or 2 but never think to use them.
Elise ate it and other than the fact that it had chunks of tomatoes in it, she was happy. Eli just looked me when I put it down in front of him. if he could roll his eyes he would have!

*salt and pepper
*1 1/2 lbs of sweet or spicy Italian Sausage
*1 tsp olive oil
*1 medium yellow onion, diced small
*2 cans (28 onces) whole peeled tomatoes
*1 lb spaghetti

Set a large pot of water to boil
Remove sausage from casings and roll into 24 balls
In a dutch oven, over medium high heat, add sausage
Brown on all sides, about 5 minutes
Using a slotted spoon remove the sausage and set aside
Add onion and cook until soft about 5 minutes
Add tomatoes, breaking apart as you put them in, season with salt and pepper
Bring sauce to boil and cook for 5 minutes
Add pasta to cook
Meanwhile add meatballs to sauce and simmer for about 7 minutes
Drain pasta and mix

March 24

88. Zitti

This was sorta my own recipe that I just make as I go.
We all liked it and thought it was good enough to make again. Eli even ate the whole thing.

*1-2 lb sausage
*1 lb pasta (I used shells)
*2 cups mozzarella cheese
*1 cup parmesan cheese
*1 large container of pasta sauce
*1 can of diced tomatoes
*1 tsp basil
*1 tsp garlic salt
*pepper

Brown the sausage
Boil the noodles
Mix everything together and bake at 375 for 30 minutes

You really cant mess it up!

March 11

I got a call from a friend who reads the blog. She called and wanted to know if I was ok since I had not cooked in 2 days. I am so sorry. I was not feeling well and then my friend Jen invited me over for dinner last night. I have to admit that I was starting to hit the cooking wall. Part of me wanted to slip into cooking the same old, so a break was needed and helped. Today I wanted to cook again.

74.Peanut Butter and Jelly bread

*1 cup water
*1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/2 cup blackberry jelly
*1 tablespoon white sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 cup whole wheat flour
*2 cups bread flour
*1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
Select a Sweet, Raisin, or Basic setting.
Makes 1.5 lbs.

I cant tell you if this is good or not since its still in the bread machine. Elise told me that it looked really yummy.

75. Linguine with Cauliflower and Brown Butter

*6 TSP butter
*1 head of cauliflower
*coarse salt and pepper
*1/4 cup water
*1 lb linguine (I only used half)
*10 fresh sage leaves
*1 shallot, diced
*3/4 cup parsley
*1/2 cup parmesan cheese
*1/3 cup plain bread crumbs

In a large skillet, melt 2 TBSP butter over medium high heat
Add cauliflower and season with salt, cook until crisp-tender (stir occasionally) about 15 minutes
Add the water and cook until cauliflower is tender when pierced with a knife
Meanwhile in a large pot bring salted water to a boil
Cook pasta until al dente
Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain the pasta
Melt the remaining 4 TBSP butter in same pot over medium heat
Stir in sage and shallot, cook stirring until butter is golden brown, about 3 minutes
Add pasta, cauliflower, parsley, and parmesan; season with salt and pepper
Toss to combine
Add enough reserved pasta water to create a thin sauce to coat pasta
Top with Bread crumbs to serve.

Elise told me that it was the best dinner ever and Dave have it a 9.5. That's saying something. Eli went out to dinner on a man date with my dad, so I dont know what he thinks, I am guessing that the cauliflower would have been a deal breaker. I also added some cropped chicken.
This is a Martha Stewart recipe and I take back the bad things I ever said about her. It rocked.

March 8

There are times when you make something and it was so hard but you know it will be worth it in the end. I am not sure that it was the case with this one. It may have been easier to call the local take out Chinese!

72. Sesame Chicken

*1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
*1/4 cup sesame seeds
*1/2 cup mayonnaise
*1 teaspoon dry mustard
*1 teaspoon dried minced onion
*3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
SAUCE:
*1/2 cup mayonnaise
*1/4 cup honey

In a plastic bag, mix bread crumbs and sesame seeds; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard and onion.
Coat chicken pieces with mayonnaise mixture, then toss in crumb mixture.
Place on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Combine sauce ingredients; serve with the hot chicken.

73. Vegetable Lo Mein

*8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
*1 cup shredded carrots
*1/2 cup sliced red bell peppers
*1 onion, chopped
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*2 cups fresh bean sprouts
*1/2 cup chopped green onions
*1 tablespoon cornstarch
*1 cup chicken broth
*1/4 cup hoisin sauce
*2 tablespoons honey
*1 tablespoon soy sauce
*1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
*1/4 teaspoon curry powder

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Heat oil in a large wok or saute pan. Stir fry mushrooms, carrots, peppers, onion and garlic until tender.
Stir in bean sprouts and green onions; cook one minute.
Mix cornstarch and chicken broth in a small bowl and add to stir fry.
Stir in hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, cayenne pepper and curry powder.
Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
Add cooked spaghetti, and toss.
Serve immediately.

The kids liked this and so did I. Dave is not home yet so I dont know what he thinks.

march 5, company

We had some of our best friends over for dinner tonight. Its really the first time we have had people over (other than my wonderful parents) since I started this project. Our friends Alicia and Jason had a baby a few months ago. Since he was born early and then we went to Mexico this was our first time to see him. Alicia called me and wanted to know if she could bring dinner to us. I reminded her that I had to cook. So I made dinner! We all really liked it. Dave gave it a 9...so we are moving on up, like the Jeffersons!

68. Garlic Bread

*1 3/8 cups water
*3 tablespoons olive oil
*1 teaspoon minced garlic
*4 cups bread flour
*3 tablespoons white sugar
*2 teaspoons salt
*1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*1 teaspoon dried basil
*1 teaspoon garlic powder
*3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
*1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
*2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Put it into a Bread Machine and set to 2 lb.

This is such good bread. We all really like it and its so easy. I did not have chives so I left them out.

69. Spicy Turkey Lasagna

*1 lb ground turkey
*1tsp dried oregano
*1 tsp salt
*1 tsp red pepper flakes
*15 onces ricotta cheese
*2 cups Italian-blend cheese
*10 onces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
*12 lasagna noodles broken in half
*26 onces chunky pasta sauce (or you can make your own) with mushrooms and peppers
*1/2 cup water

Now I did not catch on that this was for the slow cooker until around 4:30 this afternoon. As you can guess the Loopers were coming at 6, so I put it in the oven

Brown the turkey over medium high heat until no longer pink
Season with salt, oregano and red pepper flakes
In a medium bowl mix together ricotta, cheese-blend and spinach
In a slow cooker layer the half the noodles
Spoon half the Turkey mixture
Pour on half the sauce and half the water
Spread half the cheese and repeat the layering
Cover and cook in slow cooker for 4 hours on low.

now, this is what I did.

I mixed the pasta sauce with turkey mixture
I layered the noodles and the the turkey with sauce and the then the cheese.
I cooked it for an hour on 350. I also topped with some parmesan cheese.

For dessert we had strawberry shortcake that I have made many times. Its the best and I would post it if anyone wants to see it.

Jan 30.

42. Mac-n-Cheese

I know that this is not as fun and creative as some recipes I have posted, but do you know how hard it is to do things without the use of a right thumb? Its hard. Washing my hair was the hardest! Plus we went to see Wicked this afternoon and I didn't have a lot of time.

*1 package elbow macaroni
*1 3 cups package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
*16 on. sour cream
*1/4 cup whipping cream
*1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*salt and pepper to taste
*1 cup dry bread crumbs
*1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.
In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, whipping cream, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter.
Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden.

This is my own recipe as well!

Harder than looks

Jan 13 Manicotti with Spinach and mushroom

You know how there are things that you think are really hard to make and then when you do it, you see how easy it is to make? That was not really case this. Maybe it will get easier the more you make them. The first one did not end well. I will explain after the recipe....

*1 box of Manicotti Shells, Unless you want to make your own pasta and good for you. Not for me!!
*2TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oli
*6 on. chopped mushrooms
*1 clove garlic
*6 on. chopped spinach
*2 eggs
*15 on. ricotta cheese
*1/3 cup fresh basil
*1tsp salt
*1 jar of marinara sauce (I use Prego)
*1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350
Cook Pasta for 7 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
In a skillet heat the oil and add mushrooms and garlic.
Saute for 5 minutes and stir occasionally
Then add the spinach and cook for another 5 minutes.
Mix the eggs, ricatta, basil and salt. Then stir in mushroom mixture.
Spread 3/4 cups sauce in the bottum on a 9x13 baking dish.
fill the manicotti and place in the dish
Pour the rest of sauce over the shells.
Bake covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for another 5-10.

Now, here was the problem....filling the darn shells. I put the mixture in a gallon zip lock bag and cut a slit in the bottom to fill. The first hole was too large the mixture went everything and split the the shell. Can you say Trash?? So then I made a smaller hole on the other side of the bag and the my hands were cramping because that hole was too small. So maybe if I make it again I will get it right. By the end it took a longer time than I thought and my hand hurts!!
It was really good. My kids protested because they saw the mushroom and spinach. Maybe had they not seen that it would have worked better.
On a side note My friend Sondi made the chicken wellington and loved it. Hi Sondi!!

jan 10...bound to happen

Well, it was bound to happen at some point. If I was going to make 365 new recipes, there was going to be ones that we all hated. Maybe hate is too strong of a word, but we all really did not like one of tonights recipes. It sounded good in theory, but it did not pan out. I think that I made it right but it was just not a good recipe.

18.Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast
Now I know that my sister in law is saying "I told her I dont like fruit with meat." I will try something else soon.

19. Macaroni and Cheese
Now this was really good. I had to go off the recipe a tad.

*1 & 1/2 cups skim or law fat milk
*1 (15 ounce) can evaporated milk
*1 large beaten egg
*1/4 tsp salt
*Large pinch black pepper
*1 & 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
*8 ounces elbow macaroni
*2 TBSP parmesan cheese

Coat the inside of a slow cooker
Combine the milks, egg, salt and pepper with a whisk until smooth
Put the Parmesan Cheese on top.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

This is the recipe. I found that it cooks really fast. Like in an hour and so if you want to cook it the whole time double the milk and stir it a couple of times in he 3 hours.
Now, we all liked this a lot.
Let's see what tomorrow will hold.

Jan 8

16. Rigatoni and Sausage

My husband and his family love the cured pork products so I am always on the lookout for good recipes calling for sausage. Elise being a true Jerozal will eat anything that looks like sausage or bacon! She is not big on other meats but this she will always eat.

*1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage (pork or turkey)
I used Pork since I had just been to Costco and picked up some!
*26-28 once jar of Tomato pasta sauce
*1 lb Rigatoni, UNCOOKED
*Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

I added some garlic powder, basil and oregano plus some salt and pepper.

Coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray.
Brown the sausage over med-high heat
Pour the pasta sauce into the cooker.
Fill a the jar with water and pour that in too.
Add the Pasta and cooked sausage.
Stir together.
Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Do not over cook.
Half way through the cooking stir again.

Elise really liked this one. Eli told me that it was not as good as the stuff in a can and then practiced crossing his eyes at me during dinner. I will tell you that they both ate everything and that is good because they will be having it for lunch tomorrow!